Vinalhaven news

The school’s roadside cleanup may have been postponed, but that didn’t stop other community members from pounding the pavement last week, trash bags in hand. A small group organized by Denise Hopkins gathered at Booth’s Quarry Saturday, April 19 to clean up a stretch of Pequot Road in an effort to show their island pride, according to Hopkins’ Facebook status invitation.

A truckload of trash bags were collected, along with other items that seemed to have escaped from someone’s office — a fax machine, telephone and paper shredder, to name a few. A huge thank you goes to the group of volunteer pickers, and everyone else who has been giving their time to make the island more pristine. The kids’ community cleanup has been tentatively rescheduled for Thursday, May 1, but check The Wind in case there’s a change of plans.

In the world of sports, Vinalhaven’s little league teams, the Ravens and the Islanders, will play their first games of the season on Saturday, April 26. The Ravens will face the Kiwanis at 9 a.m. at Gordon Field in Rockland, then Team Touch of Glass at noon. The Islanders will play McMahon Builders next door on George Hall Field at 9 o’clock, followed by a game versus Kenniston Machine.

Longtime Ravens coach Steve Ames is looking forward to the upcoming season. “We’re looking forward to baseball weather, actually, like everyone else is,” he said. The teams have finally been able to practice outdoors after using the school gym for a few weeks to escape the cold.

“They’re happy to finally be back outside,” Ames said. “They were like a bunch of caged animals!” If you can’t make it to those away games, the high school baseball and softball teams will be playing the Richmond Bobcats at home on the 26th starting at 10:30 a.m.

The Harlem Rockets, a group of basketball entertainers similar to the Globetrotters, are returning to the island to face the Vinalhaven “Dream Team” on Thursday, May 1, at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 each to benefit Island Village Childcare and can be purchased at Fishermen’s Friend, The Paper Store, or at the door the day of the game. Like the last time the Rockets visited Pratt Gymnasium, fans can expect to be incorporated into the show and will have the chance to meet the players after the game.

There will be a spaghetti dinner Saturday, May 3 to benefit the family of Noel Robinson, who has been diagnosed with stage IV melanoma. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. at the Union Church and will include spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert.

After supper, those 21 and over can roll down the hill for a benefit dance featuring local musicians at The Sand Bar, starting at 9 p.m. with donations at the door. All proceeds will go to Noel’s family to help with their travel, medical and living expenses. The fundraisers have turned into a community effort, as islanders have been eager to donate food, time and money to help the Robinsons during a difficult period.

Kids in grades K to 5 have been studying pop artist Wayne Thiebaud and will show off their work on Thursday, May 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in a show entitled “Art is a Piece of Cake.” Thiebaud focused on desserts at one point in his career, and our young artists have followed suit by rendering cakes and cupcakes with a variety of mediums including chalk, charcoal, paint and collage.

Fifth-grade students even had the opportunity to work with a mouthwatering live model: a cake made by Cathy Watt of Cathy’s Comfort Creations, which was thoroughly enjoyed after their still life drawings were complete. If the show leaves you feeling hungry, the high school French Club will be selling cupcakes and hosting a decorating station to raise money for their trip to France.

Sixth- and seventh-grade artists will be in the spotlight later next month when their portrait photography show opens on Wednesday, May 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. The class of 22 students recently worked with two visiting artists — Patrisha McLean of Camden and Dee Peppe of Rockland — to learn about film photography and developing in the dark room. The program was made possible with funds from Vinalhaven School Enrichment and Partners in Island Education.

If you are looking to get into town politics, now is the time! Nomination papers are available for the following positions: two three-year board of selectmen terms; a three-year term for school board director; and a three-year term for water district trustee. Completed paperwork is due back to the town clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 28, with elections to be held on Tuesday, June 2.

There are also vacancies on several appointed town boards and committees, including the planning commission, the budget committee and the sidewalk committee. Those interested can call Town Manager Marjorie Stratton at 863-2042 or send a letter of interest to the board of selectmen. For more information, visit townofvinalhaven.org and click on the “Meetings, Notices and Agendas” tab.

You may be wondering why I am reporting on news that is weeks away and not saving some for next time. This will be my last column, as I have accepted a job in Westford, Mass., and will be moving away from Vinalhaven for the first time since leaving for college. I hope you have enjoyed my weekly report for the past few months, and I look forward to reading about what’s happening on the island right along with you in the future!